KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE UPDATE . . . Click here and scroll down the Green Notes Index to learn about the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline if you are new to this website. Green Notes Updates started the week of May 30, 2010. To see photos of what tar sands have done to the Alberta, Canada environment, click here. See CD 2 Green Notes below for details of Tuesday’s Omaha demonstration against the pipeline.
Nebraska has no legislation on the books for regulating the current Keystone I pipeline, nor the proposed XL sand tars pipeline. In light of this year’s Gulf disaster and more recent Michigan tar sands spill, the Lincoln Journal Star has editorialized concern about the project twice. Why it matters that spilled Michigan oil came from tar sands, was posted by Jonathan Hiskes at grist on August 16, 2010. Sunday’s August 22, 2010 Lincoln Journal Star updated TransCanada’s written intent to condemn property if landowners do not sign an easement for pipeline construction. This, before the project is even approved by the Federal Department of State and President Obama. Read “Push coming to shove on pipeline easements” here.
This is not a done deal. Nebraska’s Congressional delegation and the governor need to continue receiving letters, e-mails and phone calls from constituents who demand regulation on the existing tar sands pipeline, expressing concern about building another TransCanada pipeline in our state. Contact information for Nebraska Congressional Representatives: Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, CD-1, 1517 Longworth House Office Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20515, 202.225.4806, 402.438.1598 (Lincoln); Rep. Lee Terry, CD-2, 1524 Longworth HOB, Washington, DC 20515, 202.225.4155, 402.397.9944 (Omaha); Rep. Adrian Smith, CD-3, 503 Cannon House Office Bldg., Washington, DC 20515, 202.225.6435, 888.ADRIAN7 (Toll Free); and Governor Dave Heineman, PO Box 94848, State Capitol Bldg., Lincoln, NE 68509, 402.471.2244. Senator Mike Johanns is at 202.224.4224, 402.476.1400 in Lincoln; and Senator Ben Nelson is at 202.224.6551, 402.441.4600 in Lincoln. Please tell them all that oil pipeline regulations need to be in place, not only to govern the existing pipeline, but also any future pipeline proposed by TransCanada or other environmental exploiters.
Click here to tell Secretary Clinton NOT to grant a permit to TransCanda, tell Gov. Heineman to put forth laws that protect our resources and economic activity and tell President Obama to live up to his promise of clean energy and energy independence.
Remember, every man-made by-product of the petroleum industry could be replaced by hemp. “Help Save the Earth, Time to Subsitute Hemp for Oil.”
Lincoln area: Congressional District 1
CITY FORESTER UPDATE . . . “Lincoln’s city forester retires in wake of restructuring” was posted at the Lincoln Jounal Star website on Thursday, August 19, 2010. Steve Schwab has retired, just days after the Lincoln City Council voted to create a new forester position with stripped-down duties and less pay. Click here and scroll down for background on this issue starting July 25, 2010.
INTEGRATING ORGANICS WITH FEDERAL CONSERVATION PROGRAMS . . . Organic farmers, ranchers, or those transitioning to organic are invited to Ponca State Park, Ponca, Nebraska, on Monday, August 23, 2010, 9:00am to 3:00pm. Learn about federal conservation programs and how to benefit from them at the one day workshop hosted by the Center for Rural Affairs, Organic Farming Research Foundation, Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and Farm Aid. For more information, contact Traci Bruckner by phone at 402.687.2103 ext 1016, or e-mail tracib [at] cfra [dot] org
VIGIL AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY . . . Every Monday, from noon to 1:00pm, Nebraskans for abolition of the death penalty meet in front of the governor’s mansion, 1425 H Street, Lincoln. The lunch-hour presence reminds the governor of a constituency that does not want state killings. Weekly vigils have taken place year-round since July, 1991. All abolitionists are welcome to participate for a few minutes, or the hour. For information about Nebraskans Against the Death Penalty, click here.
LINCOLN PEACE VIGILS . . . Lincoln peace vigils continue at the Federal Building, 15th and O streets, every Wednesday from 5:00 to 6:00pm. Contact Mark at 402.499.6672 or e-mail mark [at] weddleton [dot] com for more information.
LINCOLN GREEN DRINKS . . . Green Drinks will meet in Lincoln on Wednesday, August 25, 2010, 5:30pm to close, at Lazlo’s Brewery and Grill in the Haymarket at 210 North 7th Street. Green Drinks, a self-organizing social network for environmentally interested activists and friends of the Earth, now meets in 721 cities worldwide. For more information, contact Rick Yoder, ryoder [at] mail [dot] unomaha [dot] edu
CONCERTVATION 2010 . . . The Nebraska League of Conservation Voters will host a benefit concert, “Concertvation 2010,” on Thursday, August 26, 2010, at Red 9, 322 South 9th Street, Lincoln. Bands performing in support of the NLCV’s mission of water, land and wildlife conservation initiatives include the Kris Lager Band, Son of ’76, and Stonebelly. The NLCV is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting environmental stewardship across Nebraska, educating about renewable energy solutions and resource conservation. For more information contact Cara Brenner, cbrenner [at] nclv [dot] org or phone 817.729.2666.
OPEN HOUSE AT BOYER CHUTE REFUGE . . . Comprehensive conservation planning begins at Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge on Thursday, August 26, 2010, 3:00 to 7:00pm, with an open house for public comments on refuge issues at the NWR office, 720 Rivers Way, Fort Calhoun, Nebraska. Click here for details and contact information.
KZUM MUSIC AND BOOK SALE . . . KZUM-HD, Lincoln’s beacon in the world of community radio at 89.3fm, will hold the Summer Music and Book Sale benefit fundraiser on Friday, August 27, 9:00am to 7:00pm, and Saturday, August 28, 2010, 9:00am to 5:00pm, at the Lincoln Unitarian Church, 6300 A Street. Donate books or music by calling 402.474.5086 ext. 2. Help support community radio, and pick up some great deals on music and books at this annual summer event.
REEFER MADNESS AT NWU . . . The Musical production of “Reefer Madness” opened Thursday, August 19, 2010, at Nebraska Wesleyan University’s McDonald Theatre, 51st Street and Huntington Avenue, Lincoln. This tongue-in-cheek reinterpretation of the 1936 film runs through Sunday, August 29th. For show times, click here. The cast list is here. For tickets, phone 402.465.2384.
GROW AND SHARE . . . Local gardeners can take excess fruits and vegetables to Campbell’s Nurseries, 2342 South 40th and 7000 South 56th Street, Lincoln, every Monday and Tuesday during summer. Food will be collected for the Food Bank of Lincoln, and distributed to 65 Southeast Nebraska agencies serving low-income people and families. Gardeners can also drop off produce at the Food Bank, 4840 Doris Bair Circle–about three blocks north of 48th and Superior, Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm. Click here for tips on how to process produce for sharing. For more information, contact Cory Priefert at Campbell’s, 402.423.4556, ext. 233; or Cheri Lawrence at the Food Bank, 402.466.8170, ext. 106.
ARTS IN THE PARKS . . . Arts in the Parks continues for the second weekend with Festivals in two Lincoln parks. The Neighborhood Festival Series events will be at Peach Park, 14th & Peach Streets, 6:00 to 8:00pm, Saturday, August 28, at Cooper Park, Sixth & D Streets, Sunday, August 29, 2010. The events are free and all are welcome.
LINCOLN FARMERS MARKETS . . . Locally grown produce and baked goods are available at Lincoln Farmers Markets five of the seven week days. Saturdays through October 9th, the Haymarket Farmers Market is open from 8:00am to noon. The Old Cheney Road Garden Market at 55th Street and Old Cheney Road (behind the Lincoln Racquet Club) is open from 10:00am to 2:00pm every Sunday through November 7th. Other Lincoln Markets include
— Havelock Farmers Market, behind the businesses at 62nd and 63rd Streets and Havelock Avenue, Wednesdays 3:00 to 6:30pm, May 5 to October 27th.
— Piedmont Farmers Market, 1265 South Cotner Blvd. Saturdays 8:00am to noon, May 15 to September 18. Vendor spots available. Call Randy Nelsen at 467-2777.
— Centennial Mall Garden Market, 14th and M streets, east side of the Nebraska State Office building. Wednesdays noon to 4:00pm, July 7 to August 25th.
— Community Crops Farmers Market, Pentzer Park, 27th and Potter (2 blocks north of 27th and Holdrege), Thursdays, 4:30-7:30pm, June 3 through September 30, 2010.
— Backyard Farmer’s Market and Exchange, Tuesdays, 4:30 to 7:30pm, in the St. Paul United Church of Christ parking lot at 1302 “F” Street, June 1st through September 28, 2010.
Omaha area: Congressional District 2
PROTEST KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE . . . Guardians of the Good Life will rally to protest the XL tar sands pipeline on Tuesday, August 24, 2010, 5:00 to 7:00pm, at 90th & Maple, in Omaha. Walk, bike, or carpool to the rally if possible. If you drive, try parking in the southwest corner lot of Westlake Hardware. Help educate and raise awareness of the proposed Keystone XL tar sands pipeline threat to the fragile ecosystem of the entire region.
OMAHA PEACE VIGILS . . . Omaha peacemakers vigil every Wednesday, 4:30-5:30pm, at StratCom/UN-O, 6801 Pine Street, east of the Scott Technology Center on the UN-O campus. Free parking is available at the NE Corner of 67th Street and Pine in a student lot. For more information, phone Jerry Ebner, 402.502.5887. Every Saturday, 1:00-2:00pm, there is an Anti-War and Peace Vigil at 72nd and Dodge Streets. Contact Steve Horn at 402.426.9068.
OMAHA PEOPLE’S FILM FESTIVAL . . . There is a People’s Film Festival every Wednesday evening, 7:00pm, at McFoster’s Natural Kind Cafe, 38th and Harney in Omaha. The event is always free and open to the public. This week’s film is “This Emotional Life – Episode 2: Family, Friends and Lovers,” The second episode in a three part series, looks at emotions commonly regarded as obstacles to happiness — anger, fear, anxiety, and despair. For more information, click here. The People’s Film Festival – Expanding Political Consciousness Since 2004.
SUSTAINABLE FARM TOUR AND PICNIC . . The Omaha Sierra Club will host a Sustainable Farm Tour and Pot Luck Picnic on Thursday, August 26, 2010, at Rhizosphere Farm, 3650 North 252nd Street, Waterloo, Nebraska. The optional picnic starts at 6:00pm. The farm tour starts at 7:00pm. Click here and scroll down for directions to the farm.
OMAHA FARMERS MARKETS . . .Global research confirms food choices contribute the highest percentage to our carbon footprint; even more than transportation. The advantages of shopping locally go far beyond environmental impact. Farmers markets are the best way to choose local. Click here for a list of Omaha area Farmers Markets including Benson, Bellevue, Papillion, Auburn, Beemer, Bennington, Falls City, Plattsmouth, and Wayne, Nebraska; Glenwood, Council Bluffs, and Griswold, Iowa.
Greater Nebraska: Congressional District 3
WORKSHOP ON LIVESTOCK COMPETITION . . . Friday, August 27, 2010, the USDA and Department of Justice will host an historic workshop on competition in the livestock industry to address issues of buyer power, concentration in livestock markets and enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act.[pdf] U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will open the workshop and participate in a roundtable discussion. There will be public testimony, and panels will feature ranchers, academics, processors and industry representatives. A bus chartered by the Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska is offering free transportation to Colorado State University, Lory Student Center, 1101 Centre Avenue Mall, Fort Collins, for the one-day event. 8:45am to 6:30pm. Find a registration form here. Fill out the form, and phone Destry Brown, 308.458.2244, to reserve a seat on the bus. There will be pick-up locations in Grand Island, Burwell, Dunning, Hyannis, Alliance and Sidney, Nebraska. There is no cost to ride the bus, leaving the afternoon/evening of Thursday, August 26th, returning to Nebraska Friday evening. A large turnout at the workshop will send a message that farmers want action to reverse the ongoing concentration and vertical integration in U.S. markets to preserve the future of family farm and ranch livestock production. The workshop is free and open to the public. The only expense will be for cost of meals and the overnight stay. A block of rooms is reserved. For more details about the Colorado workshop, click here.
PEACE WORKERS MEETING . . . Central Nebraska Peace Workers will meet on Sunday, August 29, 2010, 3:00pm, at the home of Del and Carolyn Roper, 906 Bell Street, in Grand Island, Nebraska. This will be a combined business and social pot luck gathering. Beverages and tableware will be provided. All Peacemakers are welcome. For more information, e-mail ceryf [at] windstream [dot] com.
BUY FRESH. BUY LOCAL . . . . Farmers, gardeners, and craftspeople meet through The Nebraska Food Cooperative, an on-line, year-round farmers’ market and local food distribution service offering the best in local freshness. For ordering and pickup schedules, refer to the calendar here. Click here, for products and prices from North Star Neighbors, a Cooperative member that doesn’t therapeutically medicate or unduly confine animals. Click here for Tomato Tomäto, Omaha’s year-round indoor Farmer’s Market at 156th & West Center. Shop for fresh foods grown in or very near your own community at Open Harvest, Lincoln’s member-owned natural foods retail cooperative in expanded space at 1618 South Street. Buying local grows family farming, grows the local economy, and is thousands of miles fresher.
HELP NEBRASKA GREENS WITH GOODSEARCH . . . Each time you search the Internet (or shop online at a participating store), a donation can be made to Nebraska Green Party at no cost to you! To help NGP in this way, enter Nebraska Green Party where it says WHO DO YOU GOODSEARCH FOR? here. Bookmark the GoodSearch Homepage, or make it your own Home Page. Enter the url you want in the GoodSearch search box. Each time you do, one penny will be donated to Nebraska Greens. THANK YOU for your support!
We are no longer the alternative; we are the imperative. –Rosa Clemente